US20110064914A1 - Labeling an imprint lithography template - Google Patents
Labeling an imprint lithography template Download PDFInfo
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- US20110064914A1 US20110064914A1 US12/561,470 US56147009A US2011064914A1 US 20110064914 A1 US20110064914 A1 US 20110064914A1 US 56147009 A US56147009 A US 56147009A US 2011064914 A1 US2011064914 A1 US 2011064914A1
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- template
- layer
- imprint lithography
- optically smooth
- photoresist
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/0002—Lithographic processes using patterning methods other than those involving the exposure to radiation, e.g. by stamping
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
- B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- B82Y10/00—Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
- B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- B82Y40/00—Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
- Y10T428/24612—Composite web or sheet
Definitions
- the invention relates to the field of imprint lithography and, in particular, to labeling an imprint lithography template prior to use within an imprint lithography machine.
- Imprint lithography involves applying a photo-curable liquid resist, or “photoresist”, onto a substrate with a mold, commonly referred to as an imprint lithography template.
- the template is generally made of a transparent material like quartz.
- the photoresist is cured by propagating UV light and/or heat through the template.
- the photoresist material that is exposed to the light becomes solid to pattern the substrate on a very small scale (e.g., 10 nm or less).
- the pattern consists of the features in relief from a residual layer of photoresist, which may then be removed by an etch process to leave only the pattern features in the substrate.
- the overall process of imprint lithography involves several steps, including surface preparation, photoresist coating, mask alignment, exposure, and excess photoresist removal. Because of the delicacy of the process, care is taken when preparing a surface for lithography. Surface contaminants are cleaned to ensure proper imprinting on the substrate. To remove the contaminants, the surface is soaked and rinsed. The surface is then primed with more chemicals to aid in the photoresist adhesion. After the surface is cleaned and primed, the photoresist is applied. Optimization is needed to apply the photoresist uniformly. The photoresist bonds uniformly to the surface.
- An optional pre-bake process includes heating the substrate in a convection oven or through a heated plate placed below the surface.
- the purpose of the pre-bake is to evaporate the excess coating solvent and to compact and harden the photoresist; however, not all imprint resists require a pre-bake.
- the lithography template is then aligned with the substrate.
- the molecules in the photoresist that are subjected to the UV light and/or heat are bonded strongly together in long chains via polymerization.
- the post bake process may be used to stabilize and harden the photoresist and remove traces of development chemicals from the substrate. Etching may then be used to remove the excess photoresist including a thin layer of resist between imprinted features.
- the lithography template also requires delicate handling so as to not scratch the template because scratches transfer into the substrate as a defect.
- the template is prepared for the lithography process by placing the template in a lithography machine. If the template is placed in the lithography machine incorrectly (e.g., wrong side up), the template may scratch, thereby destroying the usefulness of the template. However, knowing which side of the template is to face the substrate is difficult as the template is transparent with no visible markings.
- One way to ensure that the template is properly placed in the lithography machine is to single handedly follow the template from the point of manufacture to its ultimate placement in the lithography machine.
- Another manner to ensure that the template is properly processed and placed in the lithography machine includes marking the template in a boundary area that does not interfere with the UV light lithography such that the handler knows which side is up. For example, if the wrong side is up when being placed in the lithography machine, the handler knows because the marking appear backwards through the transparent template.
- present methods of marking are not permanent and the marks are removed due to the harsh chemicals that are used to clean the template after the lithography process. Thus, when the template is used again in a lithography machine, proper placement becomes an issue.
- the template may be etched with a laser or other etching means.
- Etching the template adds complication and may be acceptable as long as no particles or protrusions are created in the template surface. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a relatively permanent label to the template that assists in preventing damage to the template during handling and does not create particles or protrusions on the imprint surface of the transparent template.
- Embodiments herein provide relatively permanent labeling an imprint lithography template.
- the imprint lithography template generally has first and second sides, one side having a pattern to imprint a substrate (e.g., a front side) and the other being optically smooth (e.g., a back side) where the template can unobstructably pass UV light.
- a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes placing a masking layer on a portion of the first side (e.g., the optically smooth back side) of the template, forming a liftoff layer on the remainder of the first side of the template, removing the masking layer to expose the portion of the first side of the template, and placing a polymer mark (e.g., indelible ink) on the exposed portion of the first side of the template.
- the method also includes depositing an opaque material (e.g., an alloy) on the first side of the template and removing the liftoff layer and the polymer mark to form a label on the first side of the template with the deposited opaque material.
- the opaque material is removed from the non label area of the template and from the area over the polymer mark.
- the opaque material remains in the label area outside the polymer mark to leave behind a negative image of the polymer mark.
- a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes cleaning both sides of the template to prepare the template for label processing, forming a polymer layer (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate or “PMMA”) on the patterned side of the template to protect the pattern during the label processing, and masking a portion of the optically smooth side of the template with cellophane tape.
- the method also includes forming a polymer layer (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate) on the remainder of the optically smooth side of template to protect the remainder of the optically smooth side of the template during the label processing, removing the tape (and any residue thereof) to expose the portion of the optically smooth side of the template, and placing an ink mark on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template.
- the method also includes an optional covering of the remainder of the optically smooth side of the template with a metal foil, depositing a metallic layer on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template, removing the metal foil after depositing the metallic layer, and cleaning both sides of the template to remove the polymer layers and the ink mark to reveal the label with the deposited metallic layer.
- Depositing the metallic layer on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template may include sputtering tantalum and nickel-iron on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template.
- a first tantalum layer of about 50 angstroms may be sputtered on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template followed by a nickel-iron layer of about 100 angstroms on the first tantalum layer and a second tantalum layer of about 50 angstroms on the nickel-iron layer.
- Cleaning both sides of the template to prepare the template for label processing may include cleaning the template with N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and isopropanol (IPA), rinsing the template, and spin-drying the template.
- Cleaning both sides of the template to remove the photoresist layers and the ink mark to reveal the label may include cleaning the template with N-methylpyrrolidone and isopropanol, rinsing the template, and spin-drying the template.
- the cleaning may further include soaking the template in a chemical solution, rinsing the template, and spin-drying the template.
- FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of labeling an imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment.
- FIGS. 2-8 illustrate an imprint lithography template being labeled according to the method of FIG. 1 in one exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another method of labeling an imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 10 illustrates cleaning steps used in labeling the imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 11 illustrates label deposition steps used in labeling the imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method 100 of labeling an imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment.
- the method 100 will be discussed in relation to the imprint lithography template 200 shown in FIGS. 2-8 .
- the steps of the flow chart in FIG. 100 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown.
- the template 200 is labeled so as to assist the operator with its proper usage and thereby prevent damage to the template 200 .
- the template 200 has the surface opposite of the label coated with a protective sacrificial polymer coating in step 99 .
- the method 100 then continues by protecting the label surface (i.e., side 201 ) and placing a masking layer 202 over a portion of a side 201 of the imprint lithography template 200 in step 101 .
- a film such as cellophane tape
- a boundary portion of the template side 201 may protect that portion of the template side 201 where the label will be affixed, as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the boundary portion of the template 200 may be that area of the template 200 where no pattern exists, either on the side 201 or on the opposite side.
- a material is deposited on the remainder of the template side 201 as a cover layer 203 as shown in FIG. 4 .
- a polymer material may be deposited on the template side 201 and baked to affix the polymer material to the template side 201 .
- This cover layer 203 may serve as a liftoff material that protects the template side 201 during the labeling process. Since the masking layer 202 is used to mask off the portion of the template side 201 , the cover layer 203 may be deposited on all of the template side 201 or just that remainder not covered by the masking layer 202 .
- the masking layer 202 is removed to expose a portion of the template side 201 in step 103 as illustrated with the exposed portion 204 in FIG. 5 .
- the masking layer 202 is removed to expose a portion of the template side 201 in step 103 as illustrated with the exposed portion 204 in FIG. 5 .
- This exposed portion 204 of the template side 201 is the location in which the label is formed on the template side 201 .
- a polymer mark may be placed on the exposed portion 204 of the template side 201 in step 104 as illustrated by the mark 205 of the exposed portion 204 in FIG. 6 .
- an indelible ink marker may be used to write on the exposed portion of the template side 201 to temporarily label the template side 201 .
- the polymer mark that is applied to the template side 201 includes various combinations of numbers and letters that readily illustrate which of the template sides is “up” to the operator.
- the imprint photography template 200 is transparent. As such, certain letters and/or numbers written on the template side 201 appear backwards when viewing from the opposite side, thereby indicating that the template side 201 should be up and accordingly placed in the imprint lithography machine.
- the term “up” is, of course, reference dependent as the template 200 may be placed in the imprint lithography machine in other ways. The term up, therefore, is merely intended to indicate one exemplary point of reference. Additionally, the invention is not intended to be limited to any type of mark 205 , such as a bar code or symbol more compatible with automated handling. As shown herein, the lithography template 200 is labeled “YB-61809” indicating a title for the wafers/substrates to be imprinted by the imprint lithography template 200 . However, marking of the imprint lithography template 200 is simply a matter of design choice.
- an opaque material is deposited on the template side 201 in step 105 as illustrated with the opaque layer 206 in FIG. 7 .
- an alloy may be sputtered upon the template side 201 over the mark 205 .
- the cover layer 203 and the mark 205 may be removed in step 106 to form a label 210 on the template side 201 .
- a sputtered alloy may not adhere properly to the mark 205 .
- the cover layer 203 when the cover layer 203 is lifted off the template side 201 to remove any sputtered alloy from the non label area of the template side 201 , the alloy that was sputtered upon the mark 205 may be similarly lifted off leaving behind a negative image of the mark 205 as illustrated with the label 210 in FIG. 8 .
- this negative image label 210 regard the ability of the label 210 to withstand multiple imprint lithography processes and cleaning. For example, once the imprint lithography template 200 is used to imprint a pattern on a substrate, the materials used in the lithography process are cleaned from the template 200 using relatively harsh chemicals, such as a mix of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. This metallic label 210 may withstand such chemical cleanings and provide a relatively permanent label for the imprint lithography template 200 . Thus, the label 210 provides the operator with the ability to properly reference and handle the imprint lithography template 200 multiple times. Moreover, because neither the labeling process nor cleaning etches the imprint lithography template 200 , the labeling process is not likely to crack the imprint lithography template 200 or produce deleterious particles that would cause future defects.
- the invention is not intended to be so limited.
- Other processes may be used to provide the metallic or opaque label 210 to the template side 201 .
- One example of another process that is used to label the imprint lithography template 200 is shown and described in FIG. 9 .
- the invention is not intended to be limited to labeling any particular side of the imprint lithography template 200 .
- the label 210 may be applied to a patterned front side of the imprint lithography template 200 or to an optically smooth back side of the imprint lithography template 200 .
- a patterned side of the imprint lithography template 200 may be that side of the template 200 that is used to nano imprint an image into a substrate using a photoresist material.
- Opposite to the patterned side of the imprint lithography template 200 is an optically smooth side of the template 200 .
- the optically smooth side is generally a side of the template 200 that has no embedded pattern and thus passes UV light with less dispersion and/or absorption when curing the photoresist during the lithography process.
- FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another method 900 of labeling the imprint lithography template 200 in one exemplary embodiment.
- both sides of the imprint lithography template 200 are prepared by first cleaning the imprint lithography template 200 in step 901 .
- both sides of the imprint lithography template may be exposed to chemical cleanings using N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) and isopropanol (IPA).
- NMP N-methylpyrrolidinone
- IPA isopropanol
- a polymer material such as PMMA, is deposited on the patterned side of the imprint lithography template 200 in step 902 .
- This deposition of the polymer material may include spinning the template 200 approximately 2000 revolutions per minute for about 60 seconds to leave a relatively even layer of the polymer material upon the patterned side of the imprint lithography template 200 .
- the polymer material is then developed (e.g., by baking it at approximately 92° C. for about five minutes in step 902 to remove excess solvent on the template 200 ).
- processing of the optically smooth back side of the imprint lithography template 200 may be performed.
- a portion of the optically smooth back side of the template may be patterned with photoresist.
- Photoresist may be patterned on the template 200 where no portion of the underlying pattern exists such that UV light may pass through the template 200 to the underlying pattern without obstruction by the developed label 210 .
- a liftoff layer of photoresist material such as that of steps 902 and 903 , may be deposited and baked on the optically smooth back side (e.g., the template side 201 ) of the template 200 in step 906 .
- an oxygen plasma may be used to remove any organic residue over the portion of the optically smooth side of the template 200 in step 907 .
- a polymer mark is then affixed to the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template 200 using indelible ink in step 908 (e.g., via an indelible ink marker).
- an opaque material e.g., an alloy
- both sides of the template 200 are cleaned to remove the liftoff layers (e.g., the photoresist material), the mark, and any opaque material residing outside the previously exposed portion of the optically smooth back side of the template 200 . That is, the only material generally remaining on the template 200 after the labeling process is the deposited opaque material within the label area of the template.
- the liftoff layers e.g., the photoresist material
- the steps 901 in 910 may include washing both sides of the template 200 with a relatively hot NMP/IPA mixture (step 1001 ) followed by washing the template 200 with a relatively cold NMP/IPA mixture for about two minutes (step 1002 ) and spray rinsing both sides of the template with water (step 1003 ).
- the steps 1001 - 1003 may be repeated five times and then spin dried in step 1004 .
- the steps 1001 - 1004 may be used to clean the imprint lithography template 200 prior to labeling to ensure that the materials used in the labeling process properly bond to the imprint lithography template sides.
- the steps 1001 - 1004 may be used to remove the majority of the materials deposited on the optically smooth side of the template 200 .
- the steps 1001 - 1004 may be used to remove the photoresist materials, the indelible ink, and the deposited alloy outside the labeling area.
- the step 910 may include additional cleaning steps that further ensure that such materials are removed from the template 200 prior to use in the lithography machine.
- the step 910 may include soaking the template 200 in a bath of potassium hydroxide with a Ph greater than 11 for about 5 minutes in step 1005 .
- the imprint lithography template 200 may then be spray rinsed in step 1006 and spin dried in step 1007 to prepare the template 200 for use within the imprint lithography machine.
- a cured imprint resist may not require any development step.
- Depositing the alloy on the exposed portion of the optically smooth back side of the template 200 may also include additional steps.
- the remainder of the optically smooth side of the template 200 i.e., that portion of the optically smooth back side of the template 201 not covered with tape
- a metal foil e.g., an aluminum foil
- the exposed portion of the optically smooth back side of the template 200 may be target cleaned to prepare the exposed portion for tantalum (Ta)/nickel iron (NiFe) sputtering.
- Ta is then sputtered onto the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template 200 at a thickness of about 50 angstroms ( ⁇ ) in step 1103 .
- NiFe is then sputtered on top of the Ta at a thickness of about 100 ⁇ followed by sputtering Ta at a thickness of about 50 ⁇ in steps 1104 and 1105 .
- the Ta/NiFe/Ta sputtering leaves behind a negative image label 210 on the optically smooth side of the template 200 as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments.
- the label 210 may be formed on either side of the template.
- the label 210 does not impede the lithography process.
- the embodiments described above should not be limited to merely labeling imprint lithography templates as the labeling processes may be used to label other surfaces. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to the field of imprint lithography and, in particular, to labeling an imprint lithography template prior to use within an imprint lithography machine.
- 2. Statement of the Problem
- Imprint lithography involves applying a photo-curable liquid resist, or “photoresist”, onto a substrate with a mold, commonly referred to as an imprint lithography template. The template is generally made of a transparent material like quartz. After the template and the substrate are pressed together, the photoresist is cured by propagating UV light and/or heat through the template. The photoresist material that is exposed to the light becomes solid to pattern the substrate on a very small scale (e.g., 10 nm or less). After template separation, the pattern consists of the features in relief from a residual layer of photoresist, which may then be removed by an etch process to leave only the pattern features in the substrate.
- The overall process of imprint lithography involves several steps, including surface preparation, photoresist coating, mask alignment, exposure, and excess photoresist removal. Because of the delicacy of the process, care is taken when preparing a surface for lithography. Surface contaminants are cleaned to ensure proper imprinting on the substrate. To remove the contaminants, the surface is soaked and rinsed. The surface is then primed with more chemicals to aid in the photoresist adhesion. After the surface is cleaned and primed, the photoresist is applied. Optimization is needed to apply the photoresist uniformly. The photoresist bonds uniformly to the surface. An optional pre-bake process includes heating the substrate in a convection oven or through a heated plate placed below the surface. The purpose of the pre-bake is to evaporate the excess coating solvent and to compact and harden the photoresist; however, not all imprint resists require a pre-bake. The lithography template is then aligned with the substrate. The molecules in the photoresist that are subjected to the UV light and/or heat are bonded strongly together in long chains via polymerization. The post bake process may be used to stabilize and harden the photoresist and remove traces of development chemicals from the substrate. Etching may then be used to remove the excess photoresist including a thin layer of resist between imprinted features.
- Delicate alignment of the mask with respect to the substrate is necessary to ensure that the pattern is properly transferred. Moreover, the lithography template also requires delicate handling so as to not scratch the template because scratches transfer into the substrate as a defect. Generally, the template is prepared for the lithography process by placing the template in a lithography machine. If the template is placed in the lithography machine incorrectly (e.g., wrong side up), the template may scratch, thereby destroying the usefulness of the template. However, knowing which side of the template is to face the substrate is difficult as the template is transparent with no visible markings. One way to ensure that the template is properly placed in the lithography machine is to single handedly follow the template from the point of manufacture to its ultimate placement in the lithography machine. Such is generally not practical as there are many people, templates, lithography machines, etc. involved in the lithography process. Another manner to ensure that the template is properly processed and placed in the lithography machine includes marking the template in a boundary area that does not interfere with the UV light lithography such that the handler knows which side is up. For example, if the wrong side is up when being placed in the lithography machine, the handler knows because the marking appear backwards through the transparent template. However, present methods of marking are not permanent and the marks are removed due to the harsh chemicals that are used to clean the template after the lithography process. Thus, when the template is used again in a lithography machine, proper placement becomes an issue. Alternatively, the template may be etched with a laser or other etching means. Etching the template adds complication and may be acceptable as long as no particles or protrusions are created in the template surface. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a relatively permanent label to the template that assists in preventing damage to the template during handling and does not create particles or protrusions on the imprint surface of the transparent template.
- Embodiments herein provide relatively permanent labeling an imprint lithography template. The imprint lithography template generally has first and second sides, one side having a pattern to imprint a substrate (e.g., a front side) and the other being optically smooth (e.g., a back side) where the template can unobstructably pass UV light. In one embodiment, a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes placing a masking layer on a portion of the first side (e.g., the optically smooth back side) of the template, forming a liftoff layer on the remainder of the first side of the template, removing the masking layer to expose the portion of the first side of the template, and placing a polymer mark (e.g., indelible ink) on the exposed portion of the first side of the template. The method also includes depositing an opaque material (e.g., an alloy) on the first side of the template and removing the liftoff layer and the polymer mark to form a label on the first side of the template with the deposited opaque material. For example, by removing the liftoff layer and the polymer mark, the opaque material is removed from the non label area of the template and from the area over the polymer mark. The opaque material, however, remains in the label area outside the polymer mark to leave behind a negative image of the polymer mark.
- In another embodiment, a method of labeling the imprint lithography template includes cleaning both sides of the template to prepare the template for label processing, forming a polymer layer (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate or “PMMA”) on the patterned side of the template to protect the pattern during the label processing, and masking a portion of the optically smooth side of the template with cellophane tape. The method also includes forming a polymer layer (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate) on the remainder of the optically smooth side of template to protect the remainder of the optically smooth side of the template during the label processing, removing the tape (and any residue thereof) to expose the portion of the optically smooth side of the template, and placing an ink mark on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template. The method also includes an optional covering of the remainder of the optically smooth side of the template with a metal foil, depositing a metallic layer on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template, removing the metal foil after depositing the metallic layer, and cleaning both sides of the template to remove the polymer layers and the ink mark to reveal the label with the deposited metallic layer.
- Depositing the metallic layer on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template may include sputtering tantalum and nickel-iron on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template. For example, a first tantalum layer of about 50 angstroms may be sputtered on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of the template followed by a nickel-iron layer of about 100 angstroms on the first tantalum layer and a second tantalum layer of about 50 angstroms on the nickel-iron layer.
- Cleaning both sides of the template to prepare the template for label processing may include cleaning the template with N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and isopropanol (IPA), rinsing the template, and spin-drying the template. Cleaning both sides of the template to remove the photoresist layers and the ink mark to reveal the label may include cleaning the template with N-methylpyrrolidone and isopropanol, rinsing the template, and spin-drying the template. In response to cleaning, rinsing, and spin-drying to reveal the label, the cleaning may further include soaking the template in a chemical solution, rinsing the template, and spin-drying the template.
- Other exemplary embodiments may be described below.
- Some embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference number represents the same element or the same type of element on all drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of labeling an imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment. -
FIGS. 2-8 illustrate an imprint lithography template being labeled according to the method ofFIG. 1 in one exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another method of labeling an imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 10 illustrates cleaning steps used in labeling the imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 11 illustrates label deposition steps used in labeling the imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment. - The figures and the following description illustrate specific exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, any examples described herein are intended to aid in understanding the principles of the invention and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments or examples described below, but by the claims and their equivalents.
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FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating amethod 100 of labeling an imprint lithography template in one exemplary embodiment. Themethod 100 will be discussed in relation to theimprint lithography template 200 shown inFIGS. 2-8 . The steps of the flow chart inFIG. 100 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. - Once the
imprint lithography template 200 ofFIG. 2 is ready for use within the imprint lithography machine, thetemplate 200 is labeled so as to assist the operator with its proper usage and thereby prevent damage to thetemplate 200. First, thetemplate 200 has the surface opposite of the label coated with a protective sacrificial polymer coating instep 99. Themethod 100 then continues by protecting the label surface (i.e., side 201) and placing amasking layer 202 over a portion of aside 201 of theimprint lithography template 200 instep 101. For example, a film, such as cellophane tape, may be affixed to a boundary portion of thetemplate side 201 to protect that portion of thetemplate side 201 where the label will be affixed, as shown inFIG. 3 . The boundary portion of thetemplate 200 may be that area of thetemplate 200 where no pattern exists, either on theside 201 or on the opposite side. - In
step 102, a material is deposited on the remainder of thetemplate side 201 as acover layer 203 as shown inFIG. 4 . For example, a polymer material may be deposited on thetemplate side 201 and baked to affix the polymer material to thetemplate side 201. Thiscover layer 203 may serve as a liftoff material that protects thetemplate side 201 during the labeling process. Since themasking layer 202 is used to mask off the portion of thetemplate side 201, thecover layer 203 may be deposited on all of thetemplate side 201 or just that remainder not covered by themasking layer 202. - After the
cover layer 203 deposition, themasking layer 202 is removed to expose a portion of thetemplate side 201 instep 103 as illustrated with the exposedportion 204 inFIG. 5 . Alternatively, one could use photolithography to expose a portion of thetemplates side 201 and develop aregion 204. This exposedportion 204 of thetemplate side 201 is the location in which the label is formed on thetemplate side 201. - In this regard, a polymer mark may be placed on the exposed
portion 204 of thetemplate side 201 instep 104 as illustrated by themark 205 of the exposedportion 204 inFIG. 6 . For example, an indelible ink marker may be used to write on the exposed portion of thetemplate side 201 to temporarily label thetemplate side 201. Generally, the polymer mark that is applied to thetemplate side 201 includes various combinations of numbers and letters that readily illustrate which of the template sides is “up” to the operator. For example, theimprint photography template 200 is transparent. As such, certain letters and/or numbers written on thetemplate side 201 appear backwards when viewing from the opposite side, thereby indicating that thetemplate side 201 should be up and accordingly placed in the imprint lithography machine. The term “up” is, of course, reference dependent as thetemplate 200 may be placed in the imprint lithography machine in other ways. The term up, therefore, is merely intended to indicate one exemplary point of reference. Additionally, the invention is not intended to be limited to any type ofmark 205, such as a bar code or symbol more compatible with automated handling. As shown herein, thelithography template 200 is labeled “YB-61809” indicating a title for the wafers/substrates to be imprinted by theimprint lithography template 200. However, marking of theimprint lithography template 200 is simply a matter of design choice. - After the
template side 201 is marked with themark 205, an opaque material is deposited on thetemplate side 201 instep 105 as illustrated with theopaque layer 206 inFIG. 7 . For example, an alloy may be sputtered upon thetemplate side 201 over themark 205. Thereafter, thecover layer 203 and themark 205 may be removed instep 106 to form alabel 210 on thetemplate side 201. For example, a sputtered alloy may not adhere properly to themark 205. Accordingly, when thecover layer 203 is lifted off thetemplate side 201 to remove any sputtered alloy from the non label area of thetemplate side 201, the alloy that was sputtered upon themark 205 may be similarly lifted off leaving behind a negative image of themark 205 as illustrated with thelabel 210 inFIG. 8 . - Some of the advantages pertaining to this
negative image label 210 regard the ability of thelabel 210 to withstand multiple imprint lithography processes and cleaning. For example, once theimprint lithography template 200 is used to imprint a pattern on a substrate, the materials used in the lithography process are cleaned from thetemplate 200 using relatively harsh chemicals, such as a mix of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Thismetallic label 210 may withstand such chemical cleanings and provide a relatively permanent label for theimprint lithography template 200. Thus, thelabel 210 provides the operator with the ability to properly reference and handle theimprint lithography template 200 multiple times. Moreover, because neither the labeling process nor cleaning etches theimprint lithography template 200, the labeling process is not likely to crack theimprint lithography template 200 or produce deleterious particles that would cause future defects. - Although shown and described with respect to the
imprint lithography template 200 being labeled using a particular number of steps, the invention is not intended to be so limited. Other processes may be used to provide the metallic oropaque label 210 to thetemplate side 201. One example of another process that is used to label theimprint lithography template 200 is shown and described inFIG. 9 . Moreover, the invention is not intended to be limited to labeling any particular side of theimprint lithography template 200. For example, thelabel 210 may be applied to a patterned front side of theimprint lithography template 200 or to an optically smooth back side of theimprint lithography template 200. A patterned side of theimprint lithography template 200 may be that side of thetemplate 200 that is used to nano imprint an image into a substrate using a photoresist material. Opposite to the patterned side of theimprint lithography template 200 is an optically smooth side of thetemplate 200. The optically smooth side is generally a side of thetemplate 200 that has no embedded pattern and thus passes UV light with less dispersion and/or absorption when curing the photoresist during the lithography process. -
FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating anothermethod 900 of labeling theimprint lithography template 200 in one exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, both sides of theimprint lithography template 200 are prepared by first cleaning theimprint lithography template 200 instep 901. In doing so, both sides of the imprint lithography template may be exposed to chemical cleanings using N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) and isopropanol (IPA). From there, a polymer material, such as PMMA, is deposited on the patterned side of theimprint lithography template 200 instep 902. This deposition of the polymer material may include spinning thetemplate 200 approximately 2000 revolutions per minute for about 60 seconds to leave a relatively even layer of the polymer material upon the patterned side of theimprint lithography template 200. The polymer material is then developed (e.g., by baking it at approximately 92° C. for about five minutes instep 902 to remove excess solvent on the template 200). - With the patterned side of the
imprint lithography template 200 protected by a protective polymer layer of photoresist material, processing of the optically smooth back side of theimprint lithography template 200 may be performed. In this regard, a portion of the optically smooth back side of the template may be patterned with photoresist. Photoresist may be patterned on thetemplate 200 where no portion of the underlying pattern exists such that UV light may pass through thetemplate 200 to the underlying pattern without obstruction by the developedlabel 210. Thereafter, a liftoff layer of photoresist material, such as that ofsteps template 200 instep 906. - After affixing the photoresist liftoff layer to the optically smooth back side of the
template 200, an oxygen plasma may be used to remove any organic residue over the portion of the optically smooth side of thetemplate 200 instep 907. A polymer mark is then affixed to the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of thetemplate 200 using indelible ink in step 908 (e.g., via an indelible ink marker). Afterwards, an opaque material (e.g., an alloy) may be deposited on the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of thetemplate 200 instep 909 to provide the negative image label when thetemplate 200 is cleaned. Accordingly, both sides of thetemplate 200 are cleaned to remove the liftoff layers (e.g., the photoresist material), the mark, and any opaque material residing outside the previously exposed portion of the optically smooth back side of thetemplate 200. That is, the only material generally remaining on thetemplate 200 after the labeling process is the deposited opaque material within the label area of the template. - Certain steps of the
method 900 may include other features. For example, when cleaning theimprint lithography template 200, thesteps 901 in 910 may include washing both sides of thetemplate 200 with a relatively hot NMP/IPA mixture (step 1001) followed by washing thetemplate 200 with a relatively cold NMP/IPA mixture for about two minutes (step 1002) and spray rinsing both sides of the template with water (step 1003). The steps 1001-1003 may be repeated five times and then spin dried instep 1004. Instep 901, the steps 1001-1004 may be used to clean theimprint lithography template 200 prior to labeling to ensure that the materials used in the labeling process properly bond to the imprint lithography template sides. Instep 910, on the other hand, the steps 1001-1004 may be used to remove the majority of the materials deposited on the optically smooth side of thetemplate 200. For example, the steps 1001-1004 may be used to remove the photoresist materials, the indelible ink, and the deposited alloy outside the labeling area. In this regard, thestep 910 may include additional cleaning steps that further ensure that such materials are removed from thetemplate 200 prior to use in the lithography machine. For example, thestep 910 may include soaking thetemplate 200 in a bath of potassium hydroxide with a Ph greater than 11 for about 5 minutes instep 1005. Theimprint lithography template 200 may then be spray rinsed instep 1006 and spin dried instep 1007 to prepare thetemplate 200 for use within the imprint lithography machine. However, a cured imprint resist may not require any development step. - Depositing the alloy on the exposed portion of the optically smooth back side of the template 200 (i.e., step 909) may also include additional steps. For example, prior to depositing the alloy on the optically smooth back side of the
template 200, the remainder of the optically smooth side of the template 200 (i.e., that portion of the optically smooth back side of thetemplate 201 not covered with tape) may be covered with a metal foil (e.g., an aluminum foil) instep 1101 to further prevent deposition of the alloy on the remainder of the optically smooth back side of thetemplate 200. Thereafter, the exposed portion of the optically smooth back side of thetemplate 200 may be target cleaned to prepare the exposed portion for tantalum (Ta)/nickel iron (NiFe) sputtering. Ta is then sputtered onto the exposed portion of the optically smooth side of thetemplate 200 at a thickness of about 50 angstroms (Å) instep 1103. NiFe is then sputtered on top of the Ta at a thickness of about 100 Å followed by sputtering Ta at a thickness of about 50 Å insteps step 910 are performed, the Ta/NiFe/Ta sputtering leaves behind anegative image label 210 on the optically smooth side of thetemplate 200 as shown inFIG. 8 . - Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. For example, as long as the
label 210 is being formed on thetemplate 200 in a boundary region, thelabel 210 may be formed on either side of the template. In this regard, thelabel 210 does not impede the lithography process. Also, the embodiments described above should not be limited to merely labeling imprint lithography templates as the labeling processes may be used to label other surfaces. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (2)
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US12/561,470 US8128830B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2009-09-17 | Labeling an imprint lithography template |
JP2010204576A JP2011066411A (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2010-09-13 | Template for imprint lithography and labeling method for the same |
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US12/561,470 US8128830B2 (en) | 2009-09-17 | 2009-09-17 | Labeling an imprint lithography template |
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US20110064914A1 true US20110064914A1 (en) | 2011-03-17 |
US8128830B2 US8128830B2 (en) | 2012-03-06 |
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JP2012009623A (en) * | 2010-06-24 | 2012-01-12 | Toshiba Corp | Template manufacturing method |
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US4632884A (en) * | 1983-11-24 | 1986-12-30 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Marked single-crystal III-V group compound semiconductor wafer |
US5463200A (en) * | 1993-02-11 | 1995-10-31 | Lumonics Inc. | Marking of a workpiece by light energy |
US5877064A (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 1999-03-02 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.Ltd | Method for marking a wafer |
US6174222B1 (en) * | 1995-06-09 | 2001-01-16 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Process for fabrication of semiconductor device, semiconductor wafer for use in the process and process for the preparation of the wafer |
US6235637B1 (en) * | 1999-09-15 | 2001-05-22 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company | Method for marking a wafer without inducing flat edge particle problem |
US6913870B2 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2005-07-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Fabrication process using a thin liftoff stencil formed by an image transfer process |
US20050148196A1 (en) * | 2003-12-26 | 2005-07-07 | Manish Sharma | Method and system for patterning material in a thin film device |
US20050148181A1 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2005-07-07 | Sakae Koyata | Method for producing a silicon wafer |
US7015064B1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2006-03-21 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Marking wafers using pigmentation in a mounting tape |
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JPS5624147A (en) | 1979-08-07 | 1981-03-07 | Hitachi Chem Co Ltd | Repair of urethane molded article surface |
US4552982A (en) | 1983-08-01 | 1985-11-12 | Eli Lilly And Company | Synthesis of 9-carbamoyl-9-(3-aminopropyl)fluorenes |
JPH10256195A (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1998-09-25 | Toshiba Microelectron Corp | Silicon wafer |
JP2002222746A (en) | 2001-01-23 | 2002-08-09 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Nitride semiconductor wafer and its manufacturing method |
JP2003209032A (en) | 2002-01-17 | 2003-07-25 | Sumitomo Electric Ind Ltd | Gallium nitride wafer and marking method for gallium nitride wafer |
KR20050008057A (en) | 2003-07-14 | 2005-01-21 | 매그나칩 반도체 유한회사 | Method for marking wafer by laser |
KR100630547B1 (en) | 2004-12-22 | 2006-09-29 | 동부일렉트로닉스 주식회사 | Wafer alignment method |
KR20080035422A (en) | 2005-07-21 | 2008-04-23 | 스미토모덴키고교가부시키가이샤 | Gallium nitride wafer |
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2009
- 2009-09-17 US US12/561,470 patent/US8128830B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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US4632884A (en) * | 1983-11-24 | 1986-12-30 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Marked single-crystal III-V group compound semiconductor wafer |
US5463200A (en) * | 1993-02-11 | 1995-10-31 | Lumonics Inc. | Marking of a workpiece by light energy |
US6174222B1 (en) * | 1995-06-09 | 2001-01-16 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Process for fabrication of semiconductor device, semiconductor wafer for use in the process and process for the preparation of the wafer |
US5877064A (en) * | 1997-07-15 | 1999-03-02 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.Ltd | Method for marking a wafer |
US6235637B1 (en) * | 1999-09-15 | 2001-05-22 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company | Method for marking a wafer without inducing flat edge particle problem |
US20050148181A1 (en) * | 2002-03-22 | 2005-07-07 | Sakae Koyata | Method for producing a silicon wafer |
US6913870B2 (en) * | 2002-05-10 | 2005-07-05 | International Business Machines Corporation | Fabrication process using a thin liftoff stencil formed by an image transfer process |
US20050148196A1 (en) * | 2003-12-26 | 2005-07-07 | Manish Sharma | Method and system for patterning material in a thin film device |
US7015064B1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2006-03-21 | National Semiconductor Corporation | Marking wafers using pigmentation in a mounting tape |
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US8128830B2 (en) | 2012-03-06 |
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